Speed humps are effective and appropriate devices for safety reducing vehicle speeds on certain types of streets (when installed in accordance with the provisions of this policy). For speed hump installations to be effective, they should be selectively located in accordance with defined transportation engineering criteria for the purpose of reducing documented speeding problems. This policy provides for reasonable opportunities for residents and property owners most affected by a proposed speed hump to participate in the process that may lead to speed hump installation. It also allows the city and requesting property owners to share purchase and installation costs.
(Ordinance 1472, § 1, 9-22-09)
Low and moderate density residential dwellings
means single-family, town houses, condominiums and multi-family dwellings.
Notification area
means the area within 500 feet of the petition area. The measurement of 500 feet includes streets and alleys.
Speed hump
means a geometric design feature of a street consisting of a raised area in the street pavement surface extending transversely across the traveled portion of a street for the primary purpose of encouraging reduced speeds of vehicles traveling along that street.
Street/petition area
means the minimum length of the street segment for consideration is 1,000 feet (i.e., 500 feet on either side of the proposed speed hump located on the length of the block) which ever is greater. If the 1,000-foot segment extends into any part of an adjacent block, it shall include the entire length of the adjacent block, unless separated by an intervening thoroughfare, traffic signal or offset intersection.
(Ordinance 1472, § 1, 9-22-09)
(a) 
Each of the following criteria must be satisfied for a street to be considered eligible for speed hump installation:
(1) 
Petition.
A petition documenting that at least three-fourths of the addressed households in low and moderate density residential dwellings on the street support the installation and/or potential cost sharing described herein. A single signature for each street address will suffice as demonstrating support for the proposed speed hump installation.
(2) 
Location of the street.
The land uses on the street where speed hump installation is proposed must consist primarily of low and moderate density residential dwellings and be in one of the following zoning districts: R-1 1st Single-Family Dwelling District, R-2 2nd Single-Family Dwelling District, R-2B Zero Lot Line Single-Family Dwelling District, R-2M Manufactured Housing District, R-3 Duplex Dwelling District, R-4 1st Multi-Family Dwelling District and R-5 2nd Multi-Family Dwelling District.
(b) 
Operational characteristics of the street.
Only streets considered as residential collector and residential minor collector are eligible. In addition:
(1) 
The street must be used to provide access to abutting low and moderate density residential properties (local residential street) and/or to collect traffic for such streets (residential minor collector).
(2) 
There must be no more that one traffic lane in each direction and the paved width of the street must not exceed 30 feet.
(3) 
Speed humps will only be located on a paved residential street (alleys are not eligible).
(4) 
The existing speed limit must be 30 mph or less.
(5) 
The 85th percentile speed must be more than five miles per hour above the posted speed limit.
(6) 
The street should have curb and gutter, but a street with a defined drainage ditch on uncurbed streets may be considered.
(7) 
The street must not have curves that would restrict visibility.
(8) 
The street straight-a-way length must be at least 1,000 feet.
(9) 
Traffic volume must be at least 500 vehicles per day.
(10) 
There cannot be speed humps were written objections have been made by the police, volunteer fire department, emergency medical service or the Aransas County Independent School District transportation department.
(11) 
A speed hump will not be located in front of a property if the property owner(s) object nor will any speed hump be located in front of a driveway or within an intersection.
(12) 
A speed hump should not be located within 200 feet of a traffic control device or within 50 feet of an intersection.
(13) 
The street cannot be designated as a truck route.
(Ordinance 1472, § 1, 9-22-09)
As speed humps are not an ordinary street project and are not permitted on all streets within the city, the properties adjoining the street or within a subdivision must bear an equitable share of the total project costs. These costs included, but are not limited to, the purchase, delivery, installation of the speed humps and any required signage. Assessments will be based on the participation percentages as follows: 30 percent by property owners on one side of the street, 30 percent by property owners on the other side of the street and 40 percent by the city.
(Ordinance 1472, § 1, 9-22-09)
(a) 
The initial request for the installation of speed humps must originate from one or more residents living on the street proposed for speed hump installation. A request in writing from a resident or a representative (such as a home owner's association) must be addressed to:
Speed Hump Program
City of Rockport
622 E. Market Street
Rockport, Texas 78382-2530
(b) 
A preliminary determination of eligibility based on traffic data and criteria listed above in "Operational Characteristics of the Street" will be made.
(c) 
If the street is determined to be ineligible based on the eligibility requirements specified herein, the applicant(s) will be notified in writing and given the reason for the determination.
(d) 
The decision of ineligibility may be appealed to the city manager within 15 days of notification above. The city manager will review the determination and respond to the applicant(s) within 30 days of the appeal.
(e) 
If the street is determined to be eligible for consideration, a meeting will be arranged between the applicant(s) and the city to define the petition area and the approximate speed hump locations. The applicant(s) will then submit a formal petition on forms provided by the city indicating that a minimum of three-fourths of the low and moderate density dwelling households on the street support the installation and cost sharing of speed humps. Only petition forms provided by the city or exact duplicates may be used.
(f) 
After verification of the petition, the public works department will conduct the necessary transportation engineering studies and solicit comments and recommendation from other agencies.
(g) 
If the street is determined to be ineligible for speed hump installation, the applicant(s) will be notified in writing stating the reasons for the determination. This decision may be appealed in the same manner described herein.
(h) 
If the street is determined to be eligible, the public works department will make a determination of the total installation cost and the city and residents' costs.
(i) 
Once eligible for speed hump installation, property owners within the notification area will be notified of the proposed speed hump installation.
(j) 
If within 30 days of the above notice being mailed, if signatures representing 20 percent or more of property owners within the notification area state objection to the proposed speed hump installation, a public hearing will be held by the city council. The applicant(s) and owners of real property within the notification area will be notified of the public hearing. In addition, a reasonable effort will be made to notify each low and moderate density residential household along the street plus the homeowner's association, if any, of the public hearing.
(k) 
If the city council approves the installation after a public hearing, invoices will be sent to the affected property owners for their portion in accordance with this policy. Upon receipt of property owners' payments, the speed hump(s) will be installed as scheduling permits. If total payment of the residents' share has not been received within one year from the date of the city invoice, the speed hump project for that street will be cancelled. In that event, all monies received from residents, if any, will be returned to the payor.
(Ordinance 1472, § 1, 9-22-09)